Did you know that the once popular commercial product known as the chia
pet is actually the new super food? That's right, Chia is an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids, protein, antioxidants, and both soluble and insoluble fibre. p.s. Please don't eat your chia
pet

CHIA

Chia is especially beneficial when sprouted!

Chia seeds are derived from the plant called Salvia hispanica. Salvia hispanica is a flowering plant in the mint family and is native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala. Chia was considered a staple food of the Aztec cultures, who would say that one small serving was all a man needed to run for a day. Australia is now one of the largest producers of chia in the world.

Chia seeds are high in omega 3 fatty acids, found normally from fish sources. It is both qualitatively and quantitatively high in complete protein, both soluble and insoluble fibre, as well as anti-oxidants, magnesium, calcium, iron and vitamin C.

A study conducted on Salba®, a specific brand of Chia, found that 3.5 oz of Salba® contained as much omega 3 as 28 oz of salmon, as much calcium as 3 cups of milk, and as much iron as 5 cups of raw spinach. Chia is also gluten free, a bonus for those with gluten sensitivities who have a hard time increasing fibre consumption. All that nutrition and it's also low in calories.

Due to chia's high
content of fibre and
protein many health care
professional believe
that it can help with
weight loss. The fibre
expands in the stomach
resulting in fullness
feeling and slowing the
absorption of food. Then
the protein help to
reduce appetite and food
intake. However, the
studies that have be
done have not shown any
effects on weight but
when combined with a
healthy diet and active
lifestyle there is a
possibility.

Studies have shown its use in the treatment of Type II Diabetes. As a high source of fibre, it regulates blood sugar and insulin release by slowing digestion and therefore preventing the sugar "spikes" that are common after meals. Similarly, chia is said to be complimentary to exercise programs aimed at weight loss, as it keeps individuals feeling satisfied longer and therefore decreases total caloric consumption. It has also been shown to reduce inflammation (It decrease C- reactive protein, a marker of inflammation in our blood.), decrease blood pressure and has blood thinning effects, making it useful in the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis, stroke and myocardial infarction (heart attack).

Chia is very easy to add
to your diet. The seeds
taste bland making it
easy to add to basically
anything from juice,
smoothies, yogurt,
porridge, pudding, baked
goods or they can be
consumed whole in seed
form, ground, or
sprouted and used in
salads and sandwiches. In Mexico, the seeds are soaked until they become gelatinous, and made into a drink called a chia
fresco. A common dosage
is about 20g (1.5
tablespoons) twice a day
but is better to take as
directed on the
packaging as every
manufacturer is
different. Be cautious when buying chia that you are buying it from an agriculturally sound company, as to avoid high pesticide consumption.

All articles
copyright National Nutrition 2001 - 2015. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice.